Industry investment opportunities
Key opportunity sectors
With rapid population growth, a pipeline of opportunities, world class education providers and a culturally diverse and multi-lingual labour force, the City of Whittlesea is home to many high performing and emerging sectors.
Health care and social assistance
Features of our health care and social assistance sector
- Home to the Northern Hospital, Northpark Hospital and the new Northern Private Hospital.
- Home to RMIT Bundoora and Northern Centre for Health Education and Research.
- Proximity to Austin Biomedical Alliance Precinct and La Trobe University.
Get key industry and location-specific data
For more information about how your business can be part of this sector contact our Investment Attraction and Business Growth team within our Economic Development department at invest@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 03 9217 2170.
You can also download our health care and social assistance brochure(PDF, 2MB).
Manufacturing
Features of our manufacturing sector
- One of the most productive industries in the municipality.
- Home to the Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market.
- Supported by established manufacturing clusters across Thomastown and Epping.
- Access to Melbourne’s North Advanced Manufacturing Group, RMIT University, Melbourne Polytechnic and Northern Centre for Health Education Research.
- Availability of rapidly growing, skilled and experienced local workforce.
The region also offers easy access to:
- Melbourne Airport (20 mins)
- Port of Melbourne (35 mins)
- National Road Network (M80 Ring Road and Hume Freeway)
- Metro trains (eight stations every 20 mins on weekdays).
Get key industry and location-specific data
For more information about how your business can be part of this sector contact our Investment Attraction and Business Growth team within our Economic Development department at invest@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 03 9217 2170.
You can also download our manufacturing industry brochure(PDF, 2MB).
Food and beverage
Agri-Food Plan 2023-2026
The City of Whittlesea Agri-Food Plan 2023-2026 provides a strategic framework for investment attraction and growth within the local agri-food sector.
By focusing on innovation, value-add opportunities, and future readiness, the plan aims to strengthen and expand the sector. This will create new business opportunities, enhance local employment, and support businesses in becoming more competitive and sustainable in the evolving market.
Though this plan, the City of Whittlesea is committed to fostering a thriving agri-food industry that contributes to the overall economic prosperity of the region.
Features of our food and beverage sector
- Melbourne Wholesale Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Market (estimated $2 bn produce sold annually).
- Proposed Melbourne Food Innovation and Export Hub at Epping.
- RMIT University’s Food Research and Innovation Centre.
Get key industry and location-specific data
For more information about how your business can be part of this sector contact our Investment Attraction and Business Growth team within our Economic Development department at invest@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 03 9217 2170.
You can also download our food and beverage industry brochure(PDF, 2MB).
Read more and download our Agri-Food Plan(PDF, 11MB).
Transport and logistics
Our municipality is the ideal location for transport and logistics businesses, with direct access to major transport routes to the Australian eastern seaboard via the Hume Freeway.
We also have plans underway for the Beveridge Intermodal Precinct (BIP.)
Find out more about the BIP
Agriculture
Our rural economy
Growing the City of Whittlesea’s agriculture sector is an important part of our economic strategy, with 60% of our sprawling municipality being rural and having direct freeway links to airports, docks and central Melbourne.
Features of our agriculture sector
- Melbourne Polytechnic’s School of Food, Plant and Animal Industries
- Proximity to the La Trobe Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and Food and AgriBio facility
Get key industry and location-specific data
For more information about how your business can be part of this sector contact us at agribusiness@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 03 9217 2170.
Download our Small-scale commercial agriculture brochure.(PDF, 5MB)
Regenerative farming case studies
Read the experiences of five regenerative farmers from a range of industries.
Download the case studies
Target industries
Does your business align with one of our target industries?
- Healthcare and social assistance.
- Food and beverage manufacturing.
- Advanced manufacturing.
- Logistics, wholesale trade and distribution.
- Medical technologies and pharmaceuticals.
- Tertiary education.
- Professional services.
- Waste recovery and reuse.
- Financial and insurance services.
- Professional, scientific and technical services.
With a priority development assessment process, business concierge service, business advisory panel and commitment to buy local, we support our partners to capitalise on our municipality’s strengths.
Priority development assessment process
We have opportunities to fast-track priority developments.
Learn more about our priority development assessment process
Businesses who are considering their location can arrange a confidential discussion with the City of Whittlesea’s Investment Attraction team at invest@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or call 03 9217 2170.
For further information on the municipality’s economic landscape, see the City of Whittlesea economic profile.
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